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AOC Archaeology was commissioned by Barhale Construction plc, on behalf of Severn Trent Water Ltd to undertake an archaeological programme of works along the route of a potable water transfer pipe, located southwest of Birmingham, between Lickhill, Stourport-on-Severn and Frankley Reservoir, Birmingham. Phase 1 involved trial trenching and Phase 2 involved trial trenching, careful topsoil strip, map and sample and an archaeological watching brief on remaining topsoil strip areas. Significant archaeological remains were found in two areas (Area G38 and Area G43) with remains of lesser importance, commonly representing post-medieval and modern agricultural activity recorded in other areas. The programme of post-excavation assessment included artefact and ecofacts assemblages and a programme of radiocarbon dating. This work suggested that remains in Area G43 represent rural activity of Iron Age date while remains in Area G38 represent rural activity of medieval date. An unusual sherd of Crowland Abbey-type ware was recovered from a feature in Area G38, hinting that what appears to be an area of relatively low status activity might have a connection with a higher status and/or ecclesiastical site. Further full analysis of the pottery, metalworking evidence, fired clay and charred macroplant material from Areas G38 and G43 has further elucidated the nature and status of settlement remains in the area south of Belbroughton. The presence of Iron Age activity in Area G43 has been clarified by the identification of Malvernian handmade ware, while in Area G38, industrial residues indicate that iron smelting and smithing took place in the vicinity (though no in situ metalworking area was identified). This activity likely took place in the medieval period before AD1300, when the distribution of the pottery assemblage in cut features including pits and postholes suggests that this may have been a location of specialised activity (such as metalworking). The Crowland Abbey-type ware sherd was found through chemical analysis to share a similar make-up to sherds recovered from both the royal centre of Sigtuna, Sweden and Stoke Quay, Ipswich, and potentially shared a common production source. The presence of this sherd outside the normal distribution areas for this ware indicates the connection between this part of Worcestershire and the wider world in the medieval period, perhaps via trade along the River Severn connected with the manor of Kidderminster. Significant archaeological remains were found in two areas (Area G38 and Area G43) with remains of lesser importance, commonly representing post-medieval and modern agricultural activity recorded in other areas. The programme of post-excavation assessment included artefact and ecofacts assemblages and a programme of radiocarbon dating. This work suggested that remains in Area G43 represent rural activity of Iron Age date while remains in Area G38 represent rural activity of medieval date. An unusual sherd of Crowland Abbey-type ware was recovered from a feature in Area G38, hinting that what appears to be an area of relatively low status activity might have a connection with a higher status and/or ecclesiastical site. The presence of Iron Age activity in Area G43 has been clarified by the identification of Malvernian handmade ware, while in Area G38, industrial residues indicate that iron smelting and smithing took place in the vicinity (though no in situ metalworking area was identified). This activity likely took place in the medieval period before AD1300, when the distribution of the pottery assemblage in cut features including pits and postholes suggests that this may have been a location of specialised activity (such as metalworking).

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